Each country should be ruled in a manner that is appropriate for that particular culture. Democracy for Islamic culture could lead to al Qaeda.

Arab culture is incapable of democracy, because it provides no grounding in tolerance, the essential element in democracy.

How many people amongst the billions who inhabit this world believe in and support democracy?The Chinese don't.Nor do the Russians.How much Africa is democratic? Not much at all.Or latin America? The Eurowimps have a somme degree fo democracy but they don't have free speech. And,unfortunately,with the advent of " papa doc" Obama,even the U.S.A. no longer is as free and democratic as it once was.The lazy ones and the losers have out voted the Americans who cherish democracy and freedom.So don't be so harsh on the Arabs!

It would be a stretch to say that Israel should instinctively support strongmen dictators (how well did Israel do with Saddam Hussein, Abdel Nasser or Ghaddafi ?) True... SO FAR al-Sisi has not caused Israel problems... but too soon to draw broad regional conclusions about this.

"We are better off with Tyrants" could well serve as famous last words for Israel if the Israeli state is stupid enough to take this cynical advice. Tyrants make it incredibly easy to mobilize a country for war through their edicts and totally brainwash their populations through control of all facets of education, so that only now, after being freed from Assad's group think, are some Syrians realizing that Israelis are actually human. Tyrannical governments almost destroyed the fledgling state of Israel as soon as it declared its independence, almost defeated Israel in the Yom Kippur War, and may be the end of Israel yet if Iran, Hezbollah and Assad actually defeat the Syrian Revolution and consolidate their gains and battlefield experiences. Iran, which has been reasserting control over Hamas as well, will be poised more than ever to fulfill its self-declared mission of destroying Israel. Making deals with the devil, which this author is in effect advocating, is always a losing proposition.

"In the name of the egoistic interest, we vote for Bashar, we support al- Sisi, we are willing to make an effort for the Jordanian royal family to live on..." no, you DO NOT get a vote for the governments of neighbouring countries. not only are the internal affairs of your neighbours none of your business, but you really have no effective means of influencing the outcomes, because any attempt to meddle will probably backfire painfully. at most, you might cheer quietly for whichever side is least likely to start another pointless but bloody war against you. you misuse the word "egoistic", when you actually mean "selfish", but you have overlooked a much more appropriate greek word: "hubris".

Will soon find them in Rechavia.

Which DEMOCRATIC arab country you have in mind?

Western democracy (especially in the USA) has turned into a tools in the hands of the money masters and the ruling elite. The people don't have a real say in their governing. Congress is on the payroll of somebody, the president is on the payroll of somebody else. The political parties live on donations from influential corporations or wealthy individuals etc etc etc. When the people of the world demonstrated in their millions to prevent the first and second Gulf wars, the ruling elite did not care. The world is ruled by the money masters. In the past, religion was the opium of the masses, now democracy is the new mask and opium.

Is there anyone in Israel that can think long term? In the REAL WORLD the lifetime of dictators is often very is very short and they are often replaced by someone even more brutal but with opposite views. What Israel needs is neighbors that are vibrant sustainable countries. Countries where Israel has a lot of trade and interaction. In other words, Israel needs to learn how to get along with its neighbors and form economic partnerships, similar to the US/Canada or the EU. Israel is a Mid East country, NOT a European country (heh you picked the place). When will Israelis think LONG TERM?

Not for what it said, but because it shows a rate consensus between a Leftist like #8 and a Zionist #5. Israel would be better off with real democracies in Arab countries, not with tyrants, be they monarchists, oligarchs, religious leaders or socialists masquerading as democracies.

The western world cannot get to grips with the concept of mentality that is so fundamentally out of tune with our ideas of freedom, rights and equality. The very word Islam is about total submission, not free choice of anything. Democracy doesn't work in Islamic countries - and it never will. Unfortunately, the useful idiots of Europe can't get this around their heads and their interference - and their lofty ideals - have done nothing except to reawaken the warlords of old...and the disorder that only the most powerful of iron fists keeps in check. It's just a pity, however, that so few Israelis are taking notice of the increasing grip on power that its own leader is consolidating. We badly need a limited leadership policy here for democracy to work properly.

Israel does not WANT Arab dictators: History does NOT prove the thesis that Arab "tyrants" are better for Israel ! Egypt: Nasser Iraq : Saddam Hussein Syria: Hafez al-Assad Libya: Gaddafi Jordan, Yemen, Morocco, also have shown militant hostlity. In fact "Arab Spring" leaders (IF THEY EVER EVOLVE) might be better for Israel. moshe

Israel needs to have something to offer the west to get its support and as long as the rest of the region is ruled by dictators but Israel is an island of pro western values we are useful. If the arabs are all pro western democracies Israel's value diminishes especially if they are richer than Israel because money always buys you friend Although we say how terrible the war in Syria is behind closed doors I doubt there are to many tears being shed in the Knesset because Israel has been the only winner in this war and the longer it continues the better for Israel. We have benefitted greatly both politically and militarily from a weakened Syria and its at least slowed down the arab revolutions so we keep the kings & dictators for now.

myself as a Benevolent Dictator (King, if you must), but the unwashed masses have failed to hear my call. I shall continue until...Victory!! Democracy in the meantime is the best form of tyranny that we can muster.

Israel will turn into a tyranny ofcourse and those days could be near. See how you'd like that

Israel has no influence whatsoever on the form of gov't Arab countries choose for themselves. With the current surge of Islamic fundamentalism democracy has no chance of taking root or surviving. The arab countries need totalitarian rule just to survive for the moment. When they have stability they can begin to dream of democracy.

"islam" and every other form of crime (unfortunately) cannot be together with liberty, freedom, prosperity and democracy, for example, since the 7th. century, from Medina and Mecca/Macca, on a certain peninsula. Also, Israel, for ever, ever and always! May G.d bless the Jewish and Israeli people, too!

Your opinion is cowardly and I hope no one in Israel follows your line of thought. With this thought you demonstrate an evil Israeli mannerism. You always claim that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and it seems you wanted to remain so. You cannot stop the tide of democracy and freedom now evolving throughout the Arab world. By insinuating that the new generation of educated and freedom seeking Arab youth should stay under the tyrannical rule of corrupt leaders, you will be advocating more hate towards Israel than understanding. With such attitude, at the end Israel will lose.

In his political treatise "The Prince" Machiavelli presented the ruler of Florence a blueprint of how to achieve control and respect of his subjects. It involved a mix of measures of cruelty and generosity that matched what the prevailing culture and common people at his time considered acceptable and honorable. For outlining what works to govern a political entity at his time Machiavelli received a bad reputation later on. Today's Middle East is as Medieval and worse than at Machiavelli's time and efficient rulers other than in Israel have to behave according to current reality that is impossible for them to change during their lifetime.

this article begs the question: why are the americans so keen to promote "democracy" (a questionable term when the slate is pre-selected), despite the fact that it almost always results in (violently) anti-american (and anti-democratic) regimes? they have the luxury of not being next door, but as the incident in benghazi showed, ideologically-motivated hatred of america trumps the basic premise of not biting the hand that feeds you. as demonstrated regularly from gaza, israel does not have that luxury.

Israel doesn't run the neighboring countries. It really doesn't matter what Israel thinks.

This is a nice huff of self- righteousness but what does she want us to do? She also bundles up the tyrants together. I do not think Israel is interested in promoting Bashar Assad. In opposite. We do not control the lives of our neighbors. It would be much better if they all had democratic regimes and we lived in peace with them. But 'wishing' won't make it so.

Peace in Palestine is no longer viable. Discussions and negotiations have been going on for over 60 years and lead to nowhere. It is now too late. The reason is that something happened that changed all realities. The Arab Spring. Now you have Jihadists roaming all over the Middle East and North Africa and are increasing in numbers and strength every day. They have no respect for political order or borders. The Koran is their guide. They are ready to die in the name of Allah and have no fear to blow themselves up. They are already changing the landscape in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Egypt, and soon they will be knocking at the door of Israel. Within the coming five years, you will see most of the autocratic Arab regimes falling in their hands and soon Israel will be surrounded by millions of Jihadists ready to march like a cloud of locust over the land of Palestine. No army or weapons will stop them. Israel should have made peace with the Arabs long time ago when the opportunity was genuine.